And you thought you were satisfied with the standard Corvette…

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Research

What's New

A year after the Corvette Stingray first stunned audiences in Detroit, Chevrolet is now introducing the even more powerful, even more beautiful Z06 version. The automaker calls it the "most track-capable Corvette ever," and we believe it. Just one look at the blacked out-wheels, carbon fiber accents, and fierce lines of the Z06 makes us want it.

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 promises to bring an upgraded powertrain, suspension, and brakes for enhanced performance. An all-new eight-speed automatic transmission promises wide-open throttle upshifts that are up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those offered in the dual-clutch Porsche 911. A ferocious supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 with 625 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque will be powering the next Z06, which makes it nearly as powerful as the C6 generation Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. That's incredible to us, and we can't wait to find out how this all feels. But everyone will have to wait a while for this beauty to come out; the Z06 goes on sale in early 2015.

Who It's For

Who's it for? Very lucky people, we would say. This car is definitely suited for the performance-minded looking for a nothing less than a top-of-the-line "budget-priced" supercar, as we expect the Z06 to cost just under $100,000. That is not to say that the Ford GT500 or even German competitors like the BMW M4 are not worthy alternatives. But at the end of the day, given the car's tradition and unique beauty, purchasing a Corvette is an emotional decision, and this cars performance will rival Ferraris and hyper exotics of the world--not your average muscle car. There's nothing quite like it.

Many muscle car fans will also be surprised to know this car is expected to have a high level of refinement, shedding stereotypes of muscle cars as bare-bones performance machines. Despite its relative level of comfort, there are some qualifications to this statement. And this is something we would say for even the base Corvette: It might not the right match for everyday commuting. The Z06 should be a bona fide "budget" supercar.

Key Features

The Corvette Z06 offers some unique enhancements on the exterior and under the hood that make it stand apart from the standard Corvette:

Large, protruding air vents near the rear wheels for cooling what looks to be large carbon ceramic brakes.

What We Think

If the original Corvette was able to garner so much positive attention, we are very confident that the souped-up Z06 version will also turn many heads. With an expected 600-plus horsepower, the Z06 is a significant mark up from the standard 455-pony version, which is incredible in its own right. It is also a big step up from the previous 505-horsepower Z06 model. How many Corvette Z06 cars do we think they will sell? Enough, but that's really not the point. It is eye candy, road candy, a Ferrari humiliation device, and an elusive dream for many automotive enthusiast. It's just plain fun.